Dads. They’re the absolute best. Perfect in every way. Especially today, a day when they’ve been fed, loved and finally understood. Today we try to understand . . . Why the hair? Why the shed? Why the weird dancing? Why the bizarre Saturday shops (foie gras, chestnut mushrooms, bleach, but no dinner)?
And now on Fathers Day, we've shown dad all the love and understanding there is, there's just one thing left to do ‑ plonk down on the couch and watch a movie.
But what mood is dad in after such a spoiling? Try to find out with these suggestions:
Is dad in a high-five bonding mood? Watch Real Steel
Its about a deadbeat dad who ignores his son for 12 years then sells him for $100,000. Hugh Jackman is the dad who doesn't deserve the time of day, except for one thing – he’s a dad who fights giant remote-control robots for a living. Can Jackman win the respect of his son (a wonderful kids-stuff performance from Dakota Goyo), get the girl and fight a globally televised, all-or-nothing grudge-match robot war all at the same time. Hell yes! Yes he can.
Is dad in a cuddly\weepy mood? Watch Paper Moon
One for the more emotional dad, perhaps. Back in the way-distant 1970s, Ryan O’Neill was the cutest move star in the world... until the world encountered his actual daughter Tatum, who co-stars here with dad in a depression-era tale of con men, con-children and redemption. Nine-year-old Tatum won an Oscar for her performance.
Is dad in a cross-dressing mood? Then watch Mrs Doubtfire
The late Robin Williams takes drastic action in order towin back his children's love. He adopts a hideous Scottish accent… Wait, don’t run. He also puts on big flowery dress and a bad wig and delivers the most heart-string tugging performance of his career. Who’s your Nanny?
Is dad in an adventurous mood? Then watch Stardust
In which seven rival brothers (named Primus, Secondus... etc all the way to Septimus) plot to and succeed in murdering each other in a contest for dad's love (and his kingdom). Mark Strong is a hoot as the last villainous brother standing. It's got swords and pirates, Michelle Pfeiffer, witches and princesses, Michelle Pfeiffer, magic and comedy, and did we say Michelle Pfeiffer. Oh and a whip-crack of a cameo from the late, great David Kelly, who pulls some awesome moves for a man of his age.
[ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uopoXtR0KjkOpens in new window ]
Is he in a bad mood? Then watch There Will Be Blood
Yes, that's the one where Daniel Day-Lewis “DRINKS YOUR MILKSHAKE!” at the end, underlining one of the most brilliantly unhinged performances of his career. Day-Lewis plays a good dad, then a broken dad, then a bad dad, then a raving lunatic anti-dad with such dedication that it's impossible not to keep watching. Warning, this may put your dad in a bad mood... oh wait.
[ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AHz-zZoBnbcOpens in new window ]
Is he in a heroic mood? Then watch Taken
Not the second one, not the third one (which is in cinemas next week), but the first one. Just like dad, it's taut, revenge-focused and deliriously alpha-male, Liam Neeson redefined his career as a man not to be messed with... A dad who changed the strut of movie hard men forever. That famous quote says it all: "I don't know who you are. I don't know what you want. If you're looking for ransom, I can tell you I don't have money but what I do have are a very particular set of skills. Skills I have acquired over a very long career. Skills that make me a nightmare for people like you…" *
[ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jZOywn1qArIOpens in new window ]
Hear the unwavering passion, the never-to-be-diverted devotion, the slight pauses indicating a desperate, unspeakable need for a rest. This is how dads are. This is how they feel about their families. They will not stop. Ever. That's why there's a Father's Day.
And here's a wildcard choice. If you've no idea what mood your dad is in, he’ll definitely be in one after watching Dirty Dancing.
It's got the politics of Downton Abbey, the sexual politics from a parallel universe, and is about an insufferable Daddy's Girl called Baby who falls in love with a man old enough to be her father. And it ends with a triumphant scene featuring dance moves old enough to be your grandmother....
* PS to dads. This quote from Taken (2008) is also very useful for dealing with your teenage children. Happy Father's Day
